Weekend Happenings: Touch of the Irish & Maple Syrup

Get your Irish on this weekend to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, even if you don't have a lick of Irish in you.  There are all kinds of things happening this weekend where you can strut your green. Here's what's happening in the Twin Cities.

St. Paul St. Patrick's Day Parade
5th Street & Rice Park
St. Paul, MN
Sat., March 16, 2013
Noon
Cost:  Free to the public



Since 1967, St. Paul has been proud to celebrate it's deep Irish roots by having a parade in downtown St. Paul.  The parade is filled with St. Paul Irish families.  This year, no one has to take the day off of work to attend (which is what many have done for years).  Festivities kick off tonight (Thursday) with the coronation of Ms. Shamrock at O'Gara's Shanty at 6:30.  Prior to the parade on Saturday morning you are welcome to attend the Hibernian Mass at the St. Paul Cathedral from 9:30 am to 10:30 am.  You won't want to miss this fun, family oriented annual celebration!


Minneapolis St. Patrick's Day Parade
800 Nicollet Mall
 Minneapolis, MN
Sat, March 16, 2013
6:30 pm
Cost:  Free to the public



The City of St. Paul started celebrating at noon. Meanwhile, Minneapolis is getting the party started a little later in the day with its Minneapolis St. Patrick's Day Parade, starting at 6:30 p.m. (http://www.mplsstpats.org) This march will start at 11th Street, traveling up Nicollet Mall until it hits Fifth Street. Here, you can watch from the sidewalk, or from a nearby bar. Special happenings will be taking place at the Local, Kieran's Irish Pub, Brit's, and others. If you plan to celebrate into the wee hours of the morning, be sure to plan safe transportation. Metro Transit will be offering free rides on all buses, as well as the Northstar commuter train starting at 6 p.m. However, buses won't stop if they're at maximum capacity (more info at www.MillerLiteFreeRides.com). (Photo by Magic Robot) — By Jessica Armbruster




And if drinking green beer is not your thing, then you can check out nature's rebirth by participating in tapping trees for maple syrup.  Here's where you can get in on the action!

Maple Syrup Festival
Lowry Nature Center
7025 Victoria Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
Sat., March 16, 2013
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost:  $5



Stroll through the sugar bush and discover the old-time secrets as you collect and taste sap fresh from the tree. Warm up by the steaming cauldron and watch how sap is transformed into syrup. Drill and tap a maple tree and dash through a sap obstacle course. Play Native American and pioneer games. Taste maple syrup and learn how to make maple sugar and candy. Twenty percent discount for groups of four or more. $5. Ages: All. Drop in anytime.